Sacramento is taking huge steps to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, and in 2022, every resident will play a part by recycling organic waste.
In accordance with a new statewide mandate, SB 1383, the City of Sacramento on July 1 implemented its new commercial organics recycling program, meaning businesses and other commercial entities in Sacramento now are required to recycle their food waste and to subscribe to an organic waste commercial service.
The City expects to launch its organics recycling program for residents in summer 2022. In essence, people will be required to dispose of all organic waste in their green waste bin, which is currently only used for yard waste, instead of the garbage bin.
“When we say ‘organic waste,’ we’re talking about food waste including vegetable and fruit scraps, eggshells, meat, dairy, bones, and rotting food, that currently go into your trash can,” said Jesa David, Media and Communication Specialist for the Recycling and Solid Waste Division. “It also includes food-soiled paper such as including pizza boxes, coffee filters, paper napkins and yard trimmings. The organic waste will be taken to one of the City’s recycling processors and turned into compost which will be made available to customers.”
For more information on how to prepare for implementation, please watch this short video or visit this website. In addition, the City soon will embark on an educational campaign with community outreach to help residents comply with the state law.
“Customers will be provided with information and educational materials before we begin collecting food waste next year,” David said. “We are planning outreach efforts through direct mailing, electronic newsletters, social and traditional media advertising, and we’ll be offering all our customers a free countertop compost bin and bin liners to help with the transition.”
Reductions of short-lived climate pollutant emissions, including methane, are one of the state’s five key climate change strategy pillars necessary to meet California’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.
The best way to decrease methane emissions is by keeping organics out of landfills, officials said. SB 1383 requires a 75 percent reduction of food waste sent to landfills by 2025.
Here are some frequently asked questions about SB 1383:
What is SB 1383?
Senate Bill 1383 is a statewide organic waste recycling mandate which was passed in 2016 and is intended to divert short-lived climate pollutants from landfills, reducing organic waste, food waste, and greenhouse gas emissions. You can view the legislation text here.
How will this law help the environment?
Landfill gas created by decomposing organic waste is a significant source of overall greenhouse gas emissions. This law helps California achieve its aggressive recycling and greenhouse gas emission goals and address climate change by reducing materials in the landfill which produce gas.
When does the new requirement take effect?
Organics recycling within the City of Sacramento is anticipated to begin for residential customers in summer 2022. Commercial entities and businesses were required to begin their organic recycling on July 1, 2021.
What does this mean for residents?
Residents will dispose of all organic waste in their green waste bin, which is currently only used for yard waste, instead of the garbage bin. Organic waste refers to food waste (including vegetable and fruit scraps, eggshells, meat, dairy, bones, and rotting food), food-soiled paper, (including pizza boxes, coffee filters, and paper napkins) and yard trimmings. Residents who do not currently have a yard waste bin will be provided a new bin for their organic waste service.
To learn more about the statewide mandate, visit CalRecycle’s page.
For information specific to the City of Sacramento, visit www.cityofsacramento.org/organics. This page will be updated as the City continues to develop its program.